Solo parents may get flexible work scheds

HAVE you been issued a memorandum for tardiness or for absenting from work because you child gets ill and you are a solo parent? Well, your office should consider, as the law tends to side with solo parents who raise kids alone.

A law provides that solo parents are provided flexible work schedules and an additional 7 working days parental leave with pay. This and still a whole lot of government support can be due them as provided under the Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000 or the Republic Act 8972. A solo parent is an individual left alone with the responsibility of parenthood as imposed by law upon parents and guardians. The catch however is, solo parents need to see the local social worker to merit the comprehensive package of services for them and their dependents.

The applicant needs to be assessed to determine the need for assistance and its level, after filling up an application form for the parent to be given appropriate identification documents. The constitution says “It is a state policy to promote the family as fundamental foundation of the nation and the state has legislated to provide government support to the disadvantaged sector of the solo-parents and their dependents.” Support services under the law include comprehensive psychosocial services such as housing, child education in scholarships for parents and dependents, health, livelihood and other work related benefits.

Eligible for government support are solo parents whose income falls equal or below poverty threshold and subject to the assessment of the designated social worker. In cases where the parent's income is above the poverty line, a certified solo parent is still eligible for work related benefits as non-discrimination from work, parental leaves and housing benefits, the law said.

During a congressional oversight committee on population and family relations hearing on the implementation the act last May 24 at the Jjs Seafood, Alagad Party-list Representative Rodante S. Marcoleta said they conducted sessions to assess the implementation of the government support programs. The law passed in 2000 did not have a corresponding information dissemination component that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) adopts the law as riders in its info-dissemination and sharing in different venues across the country, say authorities.

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